M51 Community Spotlight: Andi Carey from Calgary Wild FC
Read about Andi Carey’s Pioneering Role in Developing Women’s Sports in Canada!
Meet Andi, a Lifelong Athlete, Volunteer, and Visionary
Growing up with four brothers, Andi has always been “the jock of her family,” a title she wears with pride. Being an athlete is a critical part of Andi’s identity, and she has managed to weave her love of sports into every aspect of her life. In school, if there was a team to try out for, you could bet Andi was out on the field vying for a spot. In particular, Andi enjoyed rugby and recounts how the sport deeply informed her personality, from developing her sense of leadership and teamwork to recognizing different team members’ strengths and weaknesses to cover different positions on the field – transferable skills that have served Andi well in her professional life.
Having graduated with a degree in Sports Management, Andi is proud to have worked hard to build a career in sports from day one. She started working for the NHL before moving into the sporting goods industry, where she worked for national brands in their sales and marketing departments.
Throughout her career, Andi has always kept the needs of women consumers in mind. She recalls that early on in her career, it was common practice for companies to take merchandise designed for men and simply have them “shrinked and pinked” for women. However, the tides soon changed, and Andi is proud to have worked with female designers and athletes to bring women’s points of view into the marketing ,sales and boardrooms, while elevating the female consumer experience, and delivering an empowering message to women in sports.
While at Adidas, Andi dedicated much of her time as a volunteer to a social purpose project focused on breaking down barriers for girls in sport, a cause about which Andi is deeply passionate. Long before Caitlyn Clark and Angel Reese became household names, Andi was, and is, a visionary who firmly believed that the growth of women’s sports would be the most significant industry opportunity in her lifetime, with enormous ROI potential. As such, she is working on bringing women's professional sports teams to Canada so that her kids “will only know a world where women’s pro hockey and women’s pro soccer are a reality” Andi is optimistic as she is “living in a future [she] could not have imagined.”
Making History with the Calgary Wild FC
Currently, Andi is working with the Calgary Wild FC, a groundbreaking new professional women's soccer team, with its inaugural season in April 2025. Calgary Wild FC is one of six founding teams in the Northern Super League.
Andi began her involvement with the Calgary Wild FC by rolling up her sleeves as a “very ambitious volunteer [who] wanted to be part of this history.” Leveraging her background in sporting goods, she began by helping the team with its merchandise delivery. Over time, Andi’s role has grown , and she is now contributing to ticket strategy, partnerships, fan engagement and more.
Wanting to upskill and learn more about the technical knowledge and jargon necessary for investing in sports teams, Andi enrolled in M51’s Financial Feminist Investing Lab. At first, she was intimidated by the investment process — while much of her cohort had a background in finance, she felt like a fish out of water as nobody else worked in sporting goods. However, her confidence soon grew as she learned new terms and definitions that she would frequently hear but did not fully grasp previously. The M51 lab was the perfect lens for her to upskill and become a contributor to the growth of women’s sports in Canada.
Exciting News: What’s on the Horizon?
Andi is excited to welcome professional women’s soccer to Canada. Calgary Wild FC, housed in Calgary’s McMahon Stadium, will kick off its inaugural season in April 2025. Anyone interested can deposit $50 in early 2025, which will be converted into season tickets shortly thereafter. Part of Calgary Wild FC’s mission is to build the best fan experience possible, ensuring fans and investors of all backgrounds feel welcome.
For readers outside of Calgary, Andi encourages people to support the other five teams in the Northern Super League: Halifax Tides FC, Montreal Roses FC, AFC Toronto, Ottawa RapidFC, and Vancouver Rise FC.
Calgary Wild FC is partnering with the 51 to give people an opportunity and a pathway to invest in women's sports – you, too, can become a founding investor of the Calgary Wild FC!
Reflections on a Thrilling Career
Looking back at her illustrious career, Andi has two pieces of advice to share with readers. First, Andi encourages everyone to volunteer for a cause you feel strongly about. Not only will you contribute remarkable, tangible, and meaningful differences in your community, but volunteering will often open unexpected doors. Andi emphasizes the importance of walking through every door that opens in front of you when volunteering your time.
Secondly, Andi shares that it is never too late to reimagine our experiences: “We can always learn and grow [...] It’s not too late. Don't pigeonhole yourself.” Even though much of Andi’s career was in sales, that did not stop her from continuously improving herself through volunteering for causes she believed in and enrolling in new learning opportunities to upskill — Always strive to improve yourself.
Interested in connecting with Andi or Calgary Wild FC?
Connect with Andi HERE
Learn more about the Calgary Wild FC HERE – Find out how to invest in the Football Club and place deposits for tickets!
The51 is unlocking new opportunities in alternative investments, starting with Calgary Wild FC—the only investable women’s soccer team west of Toronto. As part of the Movement51 community, you’re invited to join this exciting venture through a SAFE agreement at a 20% discount. Learn more here!
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